The Value of Non-Profit Organiztions

It’s not uncommon for organizations in the non-profit sector to overlook the fact that they are in fact running full-fledged, straightforward, legitimate businesses. Contributors factors to this oversight are non-profit organizations efforts at differentiating themselves from their for-profit, private sector counterparts, focusing most of their energies on providing social/community services, and spending significant time on activities such as fundraising and proposal writing. This oversight is more common in your smaller local non-profit organizations, which I believe make up a higher proportion of non-profits, rather than in your larger national organizations. However, I am encouraged to see that slowly but surely this oversight in the smaller organizations is beginning to dissipate.

Not only are non-profits realizing they are in fact legitimate businesses, but that sound business practices i.e. strategic planning, marketing, and human resources, to name a few, are not the exclusive domain of private corporations, but are the responsibility of all businesses irrespective of sector. What I find even more encouraging is that the non-profit sector, of which I’m proud to be a member of, is starting to hold its head up high, claim its position as a vital part of the American economy, and take pride in the fact that we provide products and services that are as good, and in some cases better than our for-profit counterparts. Simply stated, non-profit organizations provide a great deal of value to our society in a variety of very important ways, that include but are not limited to:

• Assisting federal and local government in serving those in need more efficiently and effectively than government is able to do directly.

• Providing individuals with an opportunity to do meaningful and life changing work, both volunteers and paid staff.

• Providing those with financial means a mechanism by which they can contribute to work that has an impact on the greater good of the society on a larger scale.

• Creating opportunities and environments that enable both individuals and communities to find hope, grow, and, develop.

• Contributing to the economy through employment opportunities, and through the purchase of goods and services required to run programs and grow the organization.

These are just some of the ways in which non-profits have historically and currently play a vital role in American society. Our challenge as a sector is to recognize our value, commit to running our organizations with sound business principles, and tell our stories to the world. We do great work, and we should all be proud of that. It has been said, that the measure of a truly great society is in how they treat their poor. In the times in which we find ourselves, the non-profit sector is in a prime position to provide hope and resources for the less fortunate, and play a critical role in helping this country rebound, live up to, and realize its potential for greatness. I encourage you to find a non-profit organization that is doing good work, and if for some reason you’re unable to volunteer your time and/or talents, make a contribution of whatever amount you can, so that the work can continue, and lives can be changed.